Banking
QNB Group Grows Net Profits by 7% to $1.9b in H1 2018
By Dipo Olowookere
The largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, QNB Group, has announced its results for the six months period ended June 30, 2018.
During the period under review, the lender recorded a Net Profit of QAR7.1 billion ($1.9 billion), up by 7 percent compared with last year.
In addition, the total assets increased by 10 percent from June 2017 to reach QAR846 billion ($232 billion), the highest ever achieved by the Group.
The key driver of total assets growth was from loans and advances which grew by 9 percent to reach QAR604 billion ($166 billion). This was mainly funded by customer deposits which increased by 9 percent to reach QAR614 billion ($169 billion) from June 2017. This helped to maintain QNB Group’s loans to deposits ratio at 98.4 percent as at June 30, 2018.
The Group’s drive for operational efficiency is yielding cost-savings in addition to sustainable revenue generating sources. This helped QNB Group to improve the efficiency ratio (cost to income ratio) to 27.2 percent, from 29.3 percent last year which is considered one of the best ratios among large financial institutions in the MEA.
Also, the Group’s strong recovery efforts helped reduce the net impairment charge on QNB’s loan book during the year demonstrating strong credit quality of the bank’s asset base.
Furthermore, maintaining the stock of non-performing loans ratio at 1.8 percent reflecting the high quality of the Group’s loan book and the effective management of credit risk. The Group’s conservative policy in regard to provisioning maintained the coverage ratio at 110 percent as at June 30, 2018.
Total Equity reached QAR76 billion ($21 billion), up by 3 percent from June 2017, while earnings per share increased to QAR7.4 ($2), compared with QAR7.0 ($1.9) in June 2017.
Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) as at June 30, 2018 amounted to 15.8 percent, higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the Qatar Central Bank and Basel Committee.
QNB’s successful funding from the international markets during the first six months of 2018 which includes, amongst others, (1) capital market issuances of $560 million (AUD700 million) with a 5 and 10-year maturity in Australia and (2) $720 million bonds with 30 year maturity in Taiwan.
This reflects the Group’s success in diversifying funding sources by entering new debt markets, sourcing sustainable long-term funding, extending the maturity profile of funding sources and the trust of international investors in the strong financial position of QNB Group and its strategy.
In June 2018, Fitch Ratings had revised the Outlook to Stable due to successful management of the impact from the blockade.
Also, QNB remains the highest-rated bank in Qatar and one of the highest-rated banks in the world with the fourth highest rating from the major rating agencies of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
QNB Group serves a customer base of more than 22 million customers with more than 29,000 staff resources operating from 1,100 locations and 4,400 ATMs.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the old and new Naira notes will continue to be used for financial transactions in the country beyond December 31, 2024.
There had been rumours that the old and redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes would no longer be legal tender from Wednesday, January 1, 2025, because the central bank would phase out the notes in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement of November 29, 2023.
But the apex bank, in a statement signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Ali, on Friday, clarified that the apex court’s judgement being cited did not authorise the bank to phase out the banknotes by the end of this year.
According to her, the court allowed the CBN to leave the old and new notes to be used concurrently until it decides to gradually phase out the former.
The central bank’s spokesperson urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.
She urged them to continue to accept all Naira notes for daily transactions, encouraging banks to also adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.
“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines,” the statement noted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.
The deal for the 24-year-old South African lender is due to be completed in the second half of 2025, upon regulatory approval.
This shows Access Bank’s further expansion plans in line with goals set by its late founder, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
The agreement to acquire 100 percent stake in Bidvest Bank reflects Access Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies.
Bidvest Bank, founded in 2000 is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.
As of its year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent of $665million and audited profit before tax of $20million.
Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.
This is coming just as the bank opened a new branch in Malta as part of efforts to focus on international trade finance after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
The Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
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